The Return of the Chosen

things to consider

Me Time- Heather Headley

Catori watched as several women gathered in the corner to debate if she was really the Chosen. None had the courage to ask, including the hairdresser.

She had noticed the five-year-old staring at her and smiling the entire time. She had ridiculous chubby cheeks and Catori was resisting the urge to pinch. She wasn't sure when she had become such a mom. The little one also had a t-shirt on with a picture of Catori on it.

"What is your name?" She finally asked the little girl that was sucking on two fingers,

"Heather," the little girl practically glowed, and now the door was open. She quickly began to bombard her with questions. The child had no doubt that she was the Chosen, unlike the adults around her.

"Can you fly?" She asked Catori,

"Yes"

"Like Superman" the little girl asked

"Nope," Catori frowned,

"Then how? Oh, Superwoman!" She asked, moving a little closer, Catori could see the glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

"Have you ever seen a dragon?" Catori asked. The child gave her the most serious look.

"No, I haven't, have you?" The girl asked.

"I am a dragon," Catori said,

The girl looked confused, "When?"

Catori laughed, "Whenever I want."

"Is it scary?" She asked Catori,

"We'll she can be but she likes kids. Would you like to meet her?" Catori asked. The little girl gave her a worried look and just stood staring at her. Catori could not help but laugh.

"Come here darling, I won't hurt you." Catori reached for her and she reluctantly came to stand before her, "Her name is Azira." Catori touched the child's head.

Suddenly they were together in Catori's mind. "Can you whistle?" Catori asked as she held the girl's hand. The little girl took the same fingers she sucked on and made a loud whistling noise. Azira came running and the little girl lost her s**t. She screamed and jumped in Catori's arms. "It's okay Heather."

"Azira you came in a little hot there," Catori said,

"I forgot she's human." Azira knelt down and sat stiffly, "This is Azira, Heather."

The little girl eased down and slowly approached Azira. Before long she was giggling as she rubbed Azira.

"She is beautiful, I love you Azira." The little girl said, 'Awe I like her.' Azira huffed, "Why don't you show her what else you can do."

Azira was a huge show-off. She flew up into the sky, then shifted and landed in her wolf form. The little girl squealed as she ran to Azira to hug her, running her fingers through her white coat. "Alright Heather, your mom is getting worried, time to say goodbye to Azira,"

"Do we have to go?" Heather whined,

"Yes, we do." She took Catori's hand and Catori dropped her hand and now they were back. "Thank you Chosen, that was the best day of my life!" Heather said with excitement. "Mommy I met a dragon," She took off running,

"Girl, sit your ass down bothering that woman and you ain't seen no damn dragon!" Her mother scolded her

She certainly did meet my dragon and my wolf too. You have a very beautiful daughter. I enjoyed her company. Catori heard them drop to the floor and tried not to laugh.

'Why do they do that?' Azira asked.

'I don't know, I guess it's a human thing.' Catori laughed. Humans did not

Bow they dropped like they heard gunfire. It was the funniest thing, You may rise and carry on.

They were completely silent after that, like they were afraid to talk. The hairdresser was shaking when she came to check her hair.

"I don't bite hon," Catori said her,

"Oh lord I have offended the Chosen," the girl said in a shaky voice,

"No you haven't, but why are you shaking?" Catori asked,

"Afraid I will say or do the wrong thing," the girl said, "It's like being asked to do Oprah's hair. It's just an honor. I'm overwhelmed." The girl said,

"Well, calm down. I'm just a regular girl that's not so regular." Catori smiled at her. Catori started asking her questions about where she grew up and her family and eventually the woman calmed down and they had a nice conversation. The other ladies joined in and before long they were laughing like old friends. Catori loved her hair. "I love it!"

"Oh thank you, I was so nervous." The hairdresser said,

Catori took pictures with the hairdresser and by herself for her website and left her a ridiculous tip. She took pictures with Heather and her mom as well and promised to return. One of the girls told her about a mom and pop restaurant with great food called Fat Al's BBQ and she stopped by there and met Fat Al. He came out of the kitchen and introduced himself. The man was like a huge Teddy Bear but his breathing was concerning. He gave her a sample of everything in the house and she ate until she almost got sick. She packed all the food, but before she left she went to the kitchen, "Everything okay Chosen," Fat Al asked, concerned,

"Yes, I wanted to give you a personal thank you." She reached out, touched his heart and ran her fingers over his head and neck. His breathing was much better, the man cried.

"Thank you Chosen,"

"You're welcome, Al, but can you keep this between us? I can't heal the whole world." She said sweetly,

"God bless you Chosen, my lips are sealed." Fat Al promised her, "You come in anytime you want you and your family, it's on the house."

Catori took pictures with Fat Al and was on her way. By the time she came back home she was in really good spirits. Tomorrow was her big day and now she was getting nervous. She lay back and reached out to Vanessa.

'Nessa, how are you and Soli?' Catori asked, 'I found the perfect dress.'

'Cat, where the f**k are you. Everyone has been trying to get in touch with you?' Vanessa blurted out and Catori could tell by her tone it was serious.

'What now?' Catori groaned,

'Tabatha's kid is missing and the entire pack has been searching for him. They found his backpack and blood and, well, Tabatha has lost it. Like lost, lost it. He left a note saying-' Vanessa was saying when Catori cut her off.

'Crap, I think I know where he is, but don't say anything if I'm wrong.'

Catori blinked and seconds later she stood in front of the police station. A guy leaned against the building smoking a cigarette, "May I help you?" He asked if seeing someone appear out of thin air was normal.

Catori waited a minute and then after he bowed to her she said, 'You found a boy in the woods."

"Follow me."

After seeing a picture and confirming it was BJ, she found herself in the hospital room. "What are you doing!" A nurse came in and yelled at her.

"He has broken bones and he can't be moved." She insisted, but Catori touched his head. She saw how he made his escape and what his plans were.

"Wake up you little s**t!" Catori said to Bj. His eyes darted open and he looked alarmed when he saw her,

"Get me a knife," she said to the nurse that had dropped to the floor as soon as she had spoken, "now!"

The nurse scrambled to her feet and took off running.

"So you left the pack to find your dad, rescue him and kill me? Is that about right?" Catori asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Yes!" The boy yelled at him.

"Okay cool," Catori said as the nurse returned. She went to hand the knife to Catori. "No, give it to the boy."

The nurse looked confused but she handed the knife out to BJ. He stared at it at first, then snatched it and pointed it at Catori.

"What are you waiting for, kill me?" Catori said to him.

BJ had never held a knife that big. His hand was shaking as he pointed the knife at her. "I should go," the nurse said.

"Oh no, please stay, I need a witness. People don't really take kindly to me killing kids, so I need someone to say they saw him point the knife at me before I break his neck." Catori said simply, the nurse gasped and BJ immediately began to cry. Catori shook her head as she watched the boy. "Well, are you going to take all day or what?" Catori said to him.

The boy looked at her and held the knife out as he cried, "Maybe I should just put you in a dungeon-like father. It gets dark though, but you were brave enough to leave your pack so pretty sure you're not scared of the dark, or rats, or spiders. Rats have been known to eat toes. Do you have all your toes?"

"You're trying to scare me!" BJ yelled at her. Catori watched him with mild curiosity. She pulled up a chair.

"BJ, I have an idea. We can call this entire thing even, and I will let your dad go. How does that sound?" She asked.

He looked at her with hope. Innocently he asked "How?"

"Well, you don't believe in punishment for wrong doings because you think your father has done no crime, so I say an eye for an eye. I want you to take that knife and stab Brock in the back." Catori pulled up a chair,

"No! Never, he is my brother!" BJ said to her,

"So what," Catori asked, "Okay, better than Summer or Spring. Pick one of your sisters."

"You have to stab one of them in the back," Catori said,

"No!"

"Well, why not?" Catori asked as she crossed her arms.

"Because he is my brother and sister and I am supposed to protect them," BJ said,

"Oh okay well what if one of them stabs you in the back?" She shrugged her shoulders, "then we could call it even."

The boy's shoulders shook as he cried, "Why are you crying, BJ?" Catori asked softly,

"Because I might die!" He cried, "Then I won't see Mom or Richard again."

Catori noticed how BJ called Richard by his name and not dad.

"It is true you might miss a lot. Like the people you love that love you, but it's no big deal. The world goes on and people forget you." Catori said, BJ shook his head, "My mom will never forget me."

"Why are you bringing her up? You don't care about her," Catori said,

"Yes I do!" He yelled at her. Catori eyed him suspiciously,.

"Hmm let's take a look then," she walked over and touched his head, focusing on Tabatha. She was lying on a bed screaming as she pulled out her hair. "Let's rewind a bit,"

Catori showed him the scene when one of the warriors came to inform her that his scent had been picked up and there was blood, and the vargas tracks. Tabatha completely lost it.

"What kid loves their mom and does that to her?" Catori asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt her. I just wanted to help my dad." BJ explained,

"BJ your dad did something bad," Catori explained,

"I KNOW THAT! BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN HE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE AN ANIMAL! HOW WOULD FEEL IF SOMEONE PUT A DOG COLLAR AROUND YOUR DAD'S NECK? JUST PUT HIM IN JAIL WHERE NORMAL BAD PEOPLE GO! I HATE YOU FOR DOING THAT TO HIM AND NOBODY LIKES ME ANYMORE. THEY PICK ON ME AND ME DOG BOY! THEY SAY I AM NOT A WOLF BUT A DOG! I AM A WOLF I AM!" The boy cried,

"So what would you do if your brother stabbed you in the back, BJ?" Catori asked him, without thought, BJ looked at her and said, "forgive him because I love my brother and he loves me and the only way he would do that is if somebody made him. He would try hard not to because our dads told us to protect each other. If my dad did that to somebody… how come nobody will tell me what he did?" BJ looked at her teary-eyed. Catori whipped at her tears. She didn't even know she was crying until she felt them roll down her cheek.

"So you don't care if your dad is punished, it's the type of punishment that you find humiliating. Is that what I am trying to understand?" Catori asked the boy.

"Do you know what dignity is?" He asked her,

"Do you?" Catori asked,

"Self-respect, a sense of pride in oneself. I looked it up. My dad Richard always says stuff like you should have pride and dignity, all kinds of big words and I didn't really know what that meant, but I knew I felt bad when I saw my dad like that and so I needed to put words to it. My mom says to use your words BJ, not your hands."

"So what did you come up with?" Catori sincerely asked,

"I think my dad lost his dignity. He doesn't even look up. I want to give it back to him," BJ said,

"How do you plan on doing that? Killing me?" She asked,

The boy was silent, finally, he said "I guess not, I'm not brave enough."

"Killing people does not make you brave, Bj. When you get a chance, look up humility, loyalty, betrayal, and revenge." She glared at him, "Now come on let's go."

His eyes grew huge, "You gonna kill me now." She looked at him,

"You wanna see your dad or not?" She asked. BJ jumped off the bed and grabbed her hand. He was giddy with excitement. "Do you know who I am BJ?"

"Yeah, my Alpha's sister," BJ said,

"Yeah, but do you know who I am?" She asked,

"Yeah, I think so. Your Earth's mom." He said,

"And Elijah's,"

"No, he doesn't have a mom. His mom died." BJ said,

"Oh"

"Yeah, I know because she was my mom's best friend. She cried a lot when she missed her. She doesn't cry as much but she still talks to her all the time. That's how come I know what you said isn't true. My mom would never forget someone she loves." BJ said to Catori,

"Oh" Catori sucked in a breath. They transported to the dungeons. The guards jumped but seeing who it was that returned to their post. "Can you let your Alpha know we are here?" Catori said, looking down at BJ, "how did we get here?" The boy gave her a questioning look,

"Chosen, anyone that can't tell the moment you pop off is dead, or wet behind the ears." The guard chuckled,

She laughed with him at that as she ordered BJ to stay put. She walked down until she found Blaine. He was nearly skin and bone. His clothes hung off him, "you have a visitor."

"Who?" Blaine asked. She waved at BJ, who came running.

"BJ?" Blaine looked at Catori, "why would you bring him here? Seeing me suffer isn't enough."

"He ran away, got attacked by Vargas, and ended up in a hospital with the humans." Catori explained,

"You ran away?" Blaine asked BJ, "Why?"

"To kill me. He came to break you out, Blaine. Had a knife and everything. Guess he was going to stab me in the back." Catori explained,

"Dad I just wanted to help," BJ's head dropped.

"BJ has anyone told you why I am here?" Blaine asked,

"No, I keep asking but nobody wants to tell me. They are all acting like I'm a baby but I'm not." BJ said, Blaine realized this was going to be a hard conversation to have. "Can he come in?"

"Sure he can. He says he is not scared of rats, spiders, or the dark, so he should be fine." Catori said as BJ looked around and gulped,

"Do they cut the lights off at night?" He whispered,

"Yeah they do. This is not where you wanna be son." Blaine said to Bj. As soon as the guard unlocked the door, BJ ran to his dad.

"I'm going to give you guys a minute," Catori said as she saw Talmage walking up to her.

"Hey there stranger, it's been a while." Talmage said,

"Yes, it has been." Catori gave him a huge hug, "you are coming to my birthday party tomorrow night? Wait what time is it? I guess technically tonight because it is tomorrow."

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world." Talmage said,

"Amaralus has a huge surprise for me. He won't tell me what it is yet. He drives me crazy." Catori complained,

"Hey, you got a minute? I wanna show you something?" Catori looked back at Blain and BJ.

"Yeah sure." She followed him inside the packhouse and into an office.

"Have a seat, would you like something to drink?" He slid a package toward her and then walked out. Catori stared at the package, she sniffed it and frowned. She caught Leilani, Rivers, and Zion's scent. She immediately recognized it as the package River gave to the fairy. Talmage came in and placed a bottle of Sprite in front of her. She looked up at him. "Nothing stronger?"

He smirked and took a bottle of liquor out and slid it her way. "Thank you," she said, opening the package as she flipped through the pages. Every image she had shown Leilani was drawn in precise detail. They almost felt the wind in their hair as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"Well, quite the talent, isn't she?" Catori said, trying to reel in her jealousy.

Talmage looked conflicted, "I hate myself for wondering what was on her mind as she drew this. Does she regret what she took from me, us?" He said heavily, "I guess I'm soft. A real man would not have thought twice about a woman that rejected him."

"You don't believe that do you?" She gazed at him, "Then I am not a real woman because I cry all the time. I miss Zion and I love Amaralus, but he could never make me feel as Zion does." Catori admitted,

"Then why mate with Amaralus? Why not just take him? You're the Chosen, what's stopping you?" Talmage asked,

Catori shrugged, "pride."

"Pride?" Talmage repeated.

"Yes, I don't want to have to take what is mine. If I had to take him from her, he was never mine really, was he?"

Catori asked,

"You tell me because I'm struggling over here." Talmage leaned back into his chair. Catori wondered if Leilani was insane. Talmage was scrumptious, he was just soft enough, just hard enough, just sensitive enough and he definitely had a body to leave a girl craving. Why on earth would she reject him? "What, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I want to know?" She disappeared and Talmage sat up confused.

Catori found Leilani in the nursery holding the new baby. "Why did you reject Talmage?"

"What?" Leilani looked startled,

"Why did you reject him? I want to know?" She demanded,

"Why do you care?" Leilani asked.

"Well, his touch is different from any other man's. He is gentle, and his tone is so smooth, I kept thinking to myself. Why would she let him go? Ya know, especially after he kissed me. His lips-"

"STOP IT!" Leilani walked over and laid the baby down.

"You have Amaralus. Why are you asking me about Talmage?" Leilani asked.

"Oh, I plan to have them both. I thought it over and I realized Amaralus, or Talmage, has babies. Zion has a s**t load. I'm really not losing, so you can have him. His body anyway. His heart will always be mine. And I will have Amaralus and Talmage and, on occasion, I might f**k Zion for fun." Catori said, As a matter of fact, I was just curious, is all.

Leilani tried to hold her wolf back. She knew if they challenged Catori they would die. "Why are you taunting me?" Leilani asked,

"Taunting you, no baby, this would be taunting you." Catori snapped her finger and Leilani could not move. She placed her hand on Leilani's forehead and smiled at her wickedly. Talmage sat in his office still looking confused when Catori suddenly was willed back by force. Catori straddled him. Pulling her shirt over her head, she let her breast fall. Leaning forward she licked his mating spot, his eyes darkened as she rubbed his manhood.

"Stop please," Leilani begged,

"Oh come on, it was just getting fun," Catori teased.

"Please!"

"Fine," Catori released her.

"I rejected him because I thought he was going to reject me. I thought somehow if I initiated it would hurt less. Okay, he wasn't the same way with me as he is with you." She cried.

Catori looked at her, "Are you serious? Goddess, you're dumb as hell. He was not going to reject you. He was completely in love with you before I came along. Wow! That makes me feel better. I thought maybe it was something weird. I'll tell ya what. I will send you an invite to our mating ceremony. So you can give him a proper goodbye. Tootles!" Catori waved before disappearing. She landed back in Talmage's office, "What the f**k was that?" He yelled,

"She thought you were going to reject her first," Catori said, sitting with her legs crossed,

"You asked her?"

"Yup took a little gentle persuasion but she told me," Catori said innocently, as she met Talmage's eyes looking her up and down.

"I told her I wanted you both," Catori said in a husky tone,

"Oh really, what makes you think I'd want to share a mate?" He asked,

Catori walked over, straddling him. She reached between her thighs and, touching herself, her scent hit his nose. Taking her fingers, she placed them in his mouth, he sucked on her whole damn hand like a starving animal, "would you really not want to be mine?" She watched him as he battled for control with his wolf.

He growled "Catori, you're playing games. If you do not wish to be with Amaralus, tell him. I will not participate in this self-sabotage. He is a nice guy." Talmage slapped her ass. "Now get off my d**k before you get that sweet little p***y fucked."

Catori pouted but leaned in and kissed his neck, "thank you for being a friend," she sang in his ear.

He growled as he stood, forcing her off of him. His c**k created a tent in his trousers, "I need a shower you wicked woman you,"

"I love you too, Talmage," she giggled as he shot her a scowl, leaving her in his office considering his words.

Back in the dungeons

Bj listened as his father explained how he had ended up in the dungeons. He quietly sat taking it all in. "So, dad, you used to be a different person. That is weird." BJ said.

"Yeah it is. I remember being him and yet I know I'm me. I just wish that I knew that before I made that huge mistake and hurt my sister." Blaine explained,

"I'd be sad if I hurt one of my sisters too." BJ said.

"Yeah, you know we have a lot in common. We both had twin sisters,'

"And we are both brave." BJ said to his dad, his smile faded, "Dad will you be here forever?"

"Maybe," he answered honestly, "BJ, you can't come back here. This is no place for a kid. Promise me that,"

"Okay." BJ held his head down sadly,

"Son, there are consequences to all our actions. Remember that as you move forward in life. I love you and I know things look all kinds of f****d up but your mom loves you and even Richard, chump! It is not so bad. Listen to them and you will grow up and be a fine young man."

"How will I know if you are proud of me?" BJ asked,

"Are you kidding? My son tried to take on the Chosen just to save me. How could I not be proud." He laughed for the first time in months.

"Is she really my aunt?" BJ asked,

"It's complicated, BJ. We share no DNA, um meaning we are not related through the flesh, but our memories intertwine. I remember being that other person and I have that love for her and Noah. I guess Dorkis too. It's his words that encourage me when I'm feeling beat and it's Aponi's voice that comforts me in my dreams."

"Your mama didn't sing to you, the new one you got?" BJ asked. Blaine thought it over. "BJ, my mom was crazy. That was not very much warmth about her at all. I remember at one point she was different, but she always had an edge. All compliments came with insults and belittling. Maybe it was punishment though."

"For what?" BJ asked.

"For being me," Blaine said.

"How come she just can't forgive you?" BJ asked.

"BJ, I got to see you take your first steps. We created a bond. Catori didn't get that, she lost those moments, she lost her mate. And because of what I did, Leigh was not there when Akoshka came."

"How come you call her Leigh?" BJ asked,

"Focus son, a lot of people died. I guarantee you that Leigh would never have let that happen. I took her from the family and the world. You do the crime, you do the time," Blaine explained.

"I understand Dad still sucks though," BJ whined. Blaine laughed,

"That it does, son, that it does." He chuckled.

Catori cleared her throat, "About time we got you back BJ. I'm sure your mom is worried sick."

"Sorry for pointing a knife at you, Chosen. Thanks for not killing me, or locking me in the dungeon and letting me see my dad." BJ said, Catori sighed.

"No problem kid." She eyed him, "I do think you should be punished for the trouble you caused. Azira had been complaining about an itch that I couldn't quite reach. So we will take my dragon back and you will give her a proper scratching. How does that sound?" Catori said sternly.

"YEAH!!" BJ jumped up with excitement.

"Oh, is that not punishment enough? Shall I make this a monthly treat for Azira?" Catori asked as the boy bounced up and down trying to contain his excitement. Catori had to admit he was a cute kid. She hated she had a soft spot for the little ones. They seemed to ease through all her barriers. "Tell your dad goodbye, BJ, you will see him next month."

"Next month?" BJ asked,

"Yes, I suppose we can swing by when Azira needs her next monthly rub down." BJ ran to her, wrapping his arms around her legs.

"Meet me outside," Catori said to Bj and then took off, practically skipping.

"Leigh, thank you, but he shouldn't see me this way," Blaine said,

"And he won't. You will have one hour a month with him and the other kids, I suppose, in Listeria, where you can shower and have privacy. If I took from you what you took from me, then we would be the same monster, wouldn't we? BJ should not suffer because of your mistake. I'm a b***h Blaine, but not a heartless one."

She walked away, leaving Blaine with mixed emotions.

Landing in Silver Crescent, she allowed her powers to sweep across their territory. This goes for all kids and their parents too. I don't like bullies. If BJ informs me he is being teased or picked on again by anyone in this pack, I will feed you to my dragon.

Azira roared and blew fire just to emphasize they meant business. After letting BJ off of her, she licked him completely, soaking the boy. Oddly, he did not seem to mind. In fact, he showed this as he hugged her neck. "BJ!" Tabatha screamed, running toward the boy. She scooped him up, nearly squeezing the life out of him.

'I owe you an apology, Tabatha.' Catori said, shifting, "Please for"

Before she could finish, Tabatha wrapped her arms around her, "Thank you for bringing him back to me." Tabatha cried, Catori just nodded and vanished. She went back home and kicked her feet up, she earned herself a hot bath and some Fat Al's BBQ ribs.